International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622

National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

TESTING OF SPACE SOLAR CELLS AND SOLAR ARRAYS FOR SPACE

APPLICATIONS
A.John Vivian Prashant and Snehal S More
Bachelor of Technology, Indian Institute of Space science & Technology ,Trivandrum, INDIA.
Email : john1989iist@gmail.com and snehals.more@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The Power System of a Spacecrafts is the most vital system of
a satellite, which has a major role in ensuring the complete
success of the mission. Solar array meets the total power
requirements of the spacecrafts during entire mission life. Solar
array consists of number of solar panel substrates on which
solar cells are laid down in series and parallel to generate the
required power. The solar cells are either Silicon, GaAs/Ge or
Multijunction. The paper presents a brief idea about the
characteristics and testing of some of the most widely used
Space Solar Cells.
KEYWORDS
Space solar cells, Solar arrays, Cell characterization
NOMENCLATURE
Isc solar cell short circuit current
IL load current
Iph photo-induced current
r solar cell series resistance
Vjd solar cell diode voltage under dark
Vjd solar cell diode voltage under illumination
Vmp maximum power point voltage
Voc solar cell open circuit voltage
Vt solar cell terminal voltage
1 INTRODUCTION
Solar panels are the key elements in the onboard satellite power
subsystem and they provide the electrical power for operation
of all subsystems and charge the batteries to use the power in
eclipse period. Various type of solar cells and structural solar
panel substrates of body mounted to large deployable solar
arrays are used for meeting the power requirements of small
satellites to big communication satellites.
1.1 THEORITICAL DESCRIPTION
1.1.1 SOLAR CELLS & SEMICONDUCTORS
Solar cell is the major cost deciding component of solar array.
Solar cells are large area semiconductor diodes with the
junction very near to the surface to facilitate the conversion of
the energy in the shorter wave length regions. Solar cells
directly convert light into electricity. Most of the energy in the
sun’s spectrum between 0.3 to 1.1 micron, even though other
wavelengths are present. The free space sun-energy at 1
Astronomical unit distance from sun is 135.3mW/sq.cm. The
direct conversion of sunlight into energy using solar cells is
called the photovoltaic effect. Semiconductor materials are
mainly group IV elements as their properties lie between those
of metals and insulators. This is due to the energy gap required
to push the electrons from valence band to the conduction
band. This energy gap for semiconductors is midway to that of
metals and insulators. Regions of semiconductors doped with
donor impurities have an increase number of electrons in the
conduction band at normal temperatures and are known as n-
type materials. Those doped with acceptors are known as p-
type. The most common Solar Cells are essentially just very
large area p-n junction diode. Semiconductors can divided in to
―direct‖ and ―indirect‖ band gap types, depending upon the
form of the relationship between the energy of electron in the
conduction band and their crystal momentum[1].
The energy between the initial and final state is equal to the
energy of the original photon:
Ef –Ei = hv Equation 1
Where Ef and Ei are the final and initial energies, respectively.
In terms of electron momentum (p), the energy relation is:
Ef –Ec=p2/2me Equation 2
Eν –Ei =p2/2mh Equation 3
Where me and mh are the mass of electron and holes,
respectively.
In case of an indirect band gap semiconductor, the minimum
energy in the conduction band and the maximum energy in the
valence band occur at different values of crystal momentum
(p0). In this case the transition occurs by two step process
involving not only photons and electrons but also a third
particle called phonon. As opposed to photons, the phonons
have less energy but relatively high momentum.
1.1.2 AIR MASS STANDARDS
Total radiation from sun impinging above earth atmosphere is
defined as AM0. The energy available (per unit area) is 135.3
mW/Cm2. This is also known as one solar constant.Total
radiation from sun passing through earth’s atmosphere to the

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

earth’s surface, along earth-sun radius is defined to be AM1

(I=100mW/Cm2). This light generated current is superimposed upon the normal
1.1.3 SUNS RADIATION diode-rectifying characteristics to give an operating region
The sun is a sphere of gas heated by a nuclear fusion reaction at where power can be extracted from the cell.
its centre. Temperature near the sun’s centre is around
20,000,000 K. Most of the intense radiation from the core is
absorbed a layer of negative Hydrogen ions near the sun’s
surface. Temperature within the photosphere is much cooler
than at the core but still very high to 6000K.This photosphere
radiates continuous electromagnetic radiation closely like a
black body radiation (at 5800 K). It covers all the wavelengths.
The intensity corresponding to each wavelength varies
corresponding to each wavelength varies as given by the
Maxwell distribution. So the use of different solar cells
depends upon their behavior for different wavelengths[1]. Figure 2: Operating region on characteristic curve

1.1.4 TYPES OF SOLAR CELLS For our practical purposes, we take the mirror image of the
characteristic curve as shown in figure 3.
Space solar cells can be broadly classified as Single Junction
Solar Cell and Multi Junction Solar Cells.In multi junction
solar cells, we have 2 or 3 layers of different semiconductor
one above the other.With only one semiconductor layer (as in
single junction cells) the whole spectrum of the Sun cannot be
covered. For example, Silicon gives a good response only in
the wavelength region 400nm-1000nm. In order to exploit the
various regions of solar spectrum, we use multi junction cells
which utilise almost all the energy incident on it. Efficiency is
also high in the case of Multi junction cells.
Type of solar cells depending upon material are
Polycrystalline devices (Si – 8 to 10% , CdS/Cu2S - 9% ,
CdS/CuInSe2 - 12%) , Amorphous devices (Si - 5.5%) , Plastic Figure 3 : Mirror image of characteristic curve
Solar cells , Organic Solar cells , Quantum dot Solar cells , Series Resistance
Nano Solar cells and Rainbow solar cells
 q V  IRS   V  IRs
I  I ph  I 0  e kT  1  Equation 4
1.2 WORKING OF SOLAR CELLS   Rp
The basic device requirement for photovoltaic energy is shown
in figure 1. A p-n junction has required asymmetry. N-Type 1.3 PERFORMANCE OF SOLAR CELLS
regions have large electron densities but small hole densities.
Hence, electron flow readily through such material but holes The sun spectrum consists of various photons of different
find it very difficult. Exactly opposite is true for p-Type energy. The behavior of cells depend upon the energy content
material. The inherent asymmetry encourages a flow of of the photons so different cells have different regions of
generated electrons from p-type region to n-type, and a flow of wavelength where they give good response.
holes in opposite direction. When the illuminated p-n junction Spectral response is defined as short circuit current (I sc) at a
is electrically shorted, a current will flow in the short circuiting particular wavelength for a unit power. Spectral Response
lead. gives the richest information about the cell output at each
wavelength.
SR= short circuit current / power incident Equation 5

Quantum Efficiency is defined as the number of carriers

collected per incident photon at each wavelength. It is a
quantitative measure of how many photons are converted in to
electron-hole pairs. Spectral response and Quantum Efficiency
are related as:

QE=number of electron output / number of photon input

Figure 1: Schematic drawing of solar cell circuit

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

Equation 6 Efficiency is given by;

Vmp I mp Voc I sc FF
  Equation 10
Pin I*A
1.3 SOLAR CELL PARAMETERS
Where P is the input power given by the product of intensity
1.3.1 SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT (Isc) and area of the cell.
Ideally this is equal to the light generated current. This is the
current produced when there is no load voltage (V=0). 2 TEMERATURE AND INTENSITY VARIATION
I sc  I ph  qAG Le  W  Lh  Equation 7 Intensity Dependence – Isc directly depends on
1.3.2 OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE (Voc)
Intensity while Voc varies logarithmically [1],[2].
Voc is determined by the properties of semiconductor mainly by
band gap and its temperature dependence on I0 (reserve
saturation current).
kT  I sc 
Voc  ln
 I  1
 Equation 8
q  0 

1.3.3 SERIES RESISTANCE(RS) & SHUNT

RESISTANCE (RSH)
Series resistance is due to the combined effect of load
resistance, wires and contacts etc. The shunt resistance is
caused by leakage across the p-n junction around the edges of
the cell and in non peripheral regions in presence of crystal Figure 5: Temperature dependence of Isc
defects.
Ideally: Rs=0 ohm and Rsh=∞ ohm. Temperature Dependence– dVoc/dtis>> dIsc/dt [1],[2].
1.3.4 FILL FACTOR (FF)
At a particular point on I-V curve, we get the point of
maximum power (Pmax). Fill factor is the ratio of area of Pmax
point (Vmp,Imp) and total area.

Vmp I mp Equation 9
FF 
Voc I sc

Figure 6: Temperature dependence of Voc

The series resistance Rs, can be determined from the

I-V sweep at two or more light intensities [1],[2].

Figure 4 : I-V curve to calculate fill factor

1.3.5. EFFICIENCY (E)

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

Xenon lamps present a ray spectrum structure between

0.3micron and 1.5 microns , having unwanted spikes around
0.75 micron. Xenon spectrum contains lower energy in the
higher wave length region, resulting into non-compliance with
the sun spectrum. This problem has been tackled in the Multi
Source Sun Simulator. The first source (ensuring the UV +
VIS part) remains a Xenon lamp deprived of its IR parted by a
low pass filter. The second source (ensuring the IR part)
consists in a halogen lamp deprived of its VIS part by a high
pass filter.

Figure 7 : Slope method for calculation of series resistance

Shunt resistance Rsh can be determined with the

reverse I-V Figure 10 : Xenon Spectrum in multi source simulator from
300—800nm
4 TESTING OF SOLAR ARRAYS
All solar panel coupons and flight solar panels are being tested
with this pulsed sun simulator. Light is flashed out by a pair of
Xenon flash tubes and projected on a target plane 12 metre
away from the source. Here also spectral irradiance should
comply with AMO condition. Total flash time is around 2
milli-seconds. Mid 1 millisecond duration of light is
approximately steady at which the solar cell string is loaded for
measurement. A standard solar cell tracks the intensity level
and a flash detector turns on the data acquisition unit with a
delay to reach the threshold of the steady light level. The
spatial & temporal uniformity is very good in this simulator.
Figure 8: Reverse I-V curve to obtain Rsh
Suitable electronic load is shunted across the string and loads
from short circuit to the open circuit condition, leading to 60
3 TESTING OF SOLAR CELLS
different load points. Measured current points are then
Solar cells are tested under a sun simulator with the help of
corrected with data collected by the standard cell. All these
Keithley cell tester.Cell is kept on a temperature controlled
measurements are done in 1 milli-second. Solar panels are
vacuum chuck.The sun simulator used in solar panels division
characterized electrically with the sun simulator at different
contains Short arc Xenon lamps (T = 5800°K), which
stage like fabrication, thermovacuum cycling etc and the
produces a spectrum closest to the sun spectrum. If necessary,
repeatability is ±1%. The effective black-body temperature of
suitable filters allow reaching the AM0, AM1 and AM1.5
the xenon flash-lamps is a reproducible function of current
specifications.A xenon arc lamp uses ionized xenon gas to
density in the discharge volume. The plasma resistivity of
produce a bright white light that is similar to natural daylight.
linear xenon flash-lamps is a function of current density within
the lamp. The lamp resistance and lamp current are functions of
current density and lamp geometrical properties. The current
density is controlled in order to control the color temperature.
After accomplishing this power and voltage are uniquely
determined by the length and bore of the lamp. At high current
densities, lamp efficiencies of 65 to 75 % are obtained.

Figure 9 :Xenon Spectrum & AMO

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

Figure 11 : Large area pulse solar simulator (lapss)

5 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

5.1 DATA PLOTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS

CONDUCTED ON FOUR TYPES OF SOLAR CELLS

1. ATJ (Advanced Triple Junction)

Cell dimension : 4cm x 7cm
2. ITJ (Improved Triple Junction) Figure 13: ATJ cell 1,2 & standard cell PV curve
Cell dimension : 4cm x 7cm
3. Silicon Cell
Cell dimension : 4cm x 6.5 cm
4. Gallium Arsenite
Cell dimension : 2cm x 4.5cm 2. ITJ CELL CHARACTERISTICS
Total two ITJ cells were taken for the experiment, and
1. ATJ CELL CHARACTERISTICS their I-V characteristics were plotted by keeping them
Total three ATJ cells were taken for the experiment, under X-25 Sun Simulator and varying the lamp
and their I-V & P-V characteristics were plotted by intensity.
keeping them under X-25 Sun Simulator for AM 0 Lamp Current: 75A, 84A, 93A
condition. Temperature: 29.3˚C
Temperature: 29.3˚C

Figure 14: ITJ cell 1 IV curve under lamp cirrent 75A,84A,93A

Figure 12: ATJ cell 1,2 & standard cell IV curve

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

Figure 15: ITJ cell 2 IV curve under lamp cirrent 75A,84A,93

Figure 18: Silicon cell 3 IV curve at varying temperature
3. SILICON CELL CHARACTERISTICS
Total four SILICON cells were taken for the
experiment, and their I-V characteristics were plotted
by keeping them under X-25 Sun Simulator and
varying the temperature.
Lamp Current: 94A
Temperature: 22.5˚C, 25.5˚C, 28.5˚C, 33.5˚C

Figure 19: Silicon cell 4 IV curve at varying temperature

3.1 Voc Vs Temperature Graph for the four SILICON

cells at 28.5oC
Figure 16: Silicon cell 1 IV curve at varying temperature

Figure 20 : Voc Vs Temperature Graph for the silicon cell 1

Figure 17: Silicon cell 2 IV curve at varying temperature

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

Figure 21 : Voc Vs Temperature Graph for the silicon cell 2

Figure 24 : IV curve for GaAs cell 1 at variable temperature

Figure 22 : Voc Vs Temperature Graph for the silicon cell 3

Figure 25 : IV curve for GaAs cell 2 at variable temperature

Temperature Coefficient
Cell 1: βv oc = -1.723
Cell 2: βv oc = -1.7231

Temperature (oC) Rs Cell 1: Rs Cell 2:

Figure 23 : Voc Vs Temperature Graph for the silicon cell 4 22 -0.259 -0.294
24.9 -0.254 -0.303
28 -0.285 -0.279
1. GaAs CELL CHARACTERISTICS Table 1 : Series Resistance GaAs cell 1& 2 at variable
Total two GaAs cells were taken for the experiment, temperature
and their I-V characteristics were plotted by keeping
them under X-25 Sun Simulator and varying the CONCLUSION
temperature. The concepts involved in space solar cell testing are elucidated.
Lamp Current: 92A The various factors affecting performance are identified and the
Temperature: 22˚C, 24.9˚C, 28˚C test results provided in form of graphs. The ATJ and ITJ cell
characteristics at various temperatures plotted in figure
12,13,14,15 show the dependence of current and voltage as per
the ideal expectations as elucidated in the theory.The silicon
cell characteristics at four different temperatures are plotted in
figure16,17,18,29.These plots are in excellent agreement with

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 International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622
National Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (VNCET-30 Mar’12)

the expected behavior, the same can be used for extrapolation

to obtain an idea of the characteristics at other temperatures. In
addition the Voc vs temperature graphs are also presented in
figures 20,21,22,23.The GaAs cell characteristics are provided
in figure 24,25.The resistance value for the same is also
presented in table1.The provided characteristics act as an
guideline as various combinations of temperature are
simulated and correspondingly various parameters have been
calculated.

FUTURE SCOPE
In order to ensure the proper working of all the electronic
gadgets present within a spacecraft, it is essential to maintain
proper power supply by solar cells. Very high accuracy is
needed in the design and implementation of power generation
by solar cells. Power systems of spacecraft plays very vital role
in ensuring the success of a particular mission. Mass
minimization is the major challenge in the field of power
systems. As the size of satellite is getting reduced the space and
mass available is also getting reduced. So apart from the
conventional power systems , it is important to develop some
advanced solar cells, which may have less mass but have high
efficiency power generation.

REFERENCES

[1] H.S. Rauschenbach, ―Solar Cell Array Design Handbook‖;

Van Nostrand Reinhold Company,1980, pg:1-200
[2] Martin a Green,―Solar Cell :Operating Principle
Technology & System Application‖ ; Prentice Hall; New Jersey

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